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Environment & Transport Cabinet Committee - Thursday, 17th July, 2025 2.00 pm

July 17, 2025 View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)
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Summary

The Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee met to discuss highways and transport, environmental issues, and waste management in Kent. The committee agreed to recommend that the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport find a way to reinstate the Gravesend-Tilbury Ferry service, and endorsed recommendations relating to highway landscaping, local highway maintenance contracts, and organic waste contracts.

Election of Chair and Vice Chair

Councillor James Defriend was elected as chair of the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee, with Councillor Paul Thomas elected as vice chair.

Introduction to Highways and Transport Division

The committee noted a report providing an overview of the Highways and Transport division, which manages the third largest local road network in Britain. Haroona Chughtai, Director of Highways and Transport, explained that the division is responsible for managing, operating, upgrading, modifying and building local roads, as well as facilitating vital public transport services.

Key points from the presentation included:

  • The division manages over 5,400 miles of road, with an asset base valued at £25 billion.
  • It supports over 500 registered transport advisors through the Kent Enhanced Partnership to provide a network of buses across Kent.
  • It provides 25,000 concessionary travel passes for young people annually.
  • The division follows the Highways Act 1980 and fulfils its network management duty as set out in the Traffic Management Act 2004.
  • The division is responsible for carrying out the council's role as a local transport authority, as set out in the Transport Act 2000.
  • Kent County Council developed a new local transport plan, called Striking the Balance, which was adopted in December 2024.
  • The total budget for the division is £217.4 million, comprising £78.9 million of revenue budget and £138.5 million of capital spend.

During questions, Councillor Alister Brady asked about bus service improvement plan (B-SIP) funding. Phil Leithaler, Head of Public Transport, explained that the funding is linked to Kent's B-SIP plan, which sets out the initiatives that KCC will deliver to improve the bus network. He noted that B-SIP funding is roughly £57 million over three years, with more than half allocated to capital projects. He also explained that post-pandemic, the off-peak travel market in Kent is still 30% down, while operating costs have increased by 30-40%.

Councillor Paul Thomas raised concerns about road closures and the need to learn lessons from issues on the A229. Councillor Mark Hood asked about the Walking and Cycling Members Group and sought assurance that officers will continue to bid for active travel funding. He also asked for assurance about the future of the Travel Saver scheme.

Introduction to Environment and Circular Economy

The committee noted a report providing an introduction to the Environment and Circular Economy division. Councillor David Wimble, Cabinet Member for the Kent Environment, said that the portfolio covers a wide range of activities, including waste management, recycling, flood management, coastal flooding, internal drainage, countryside parks, and energy security.

Matt Smyth, Director for Environment and Circular Economy, explained that the division manages the delivery of the Environment Plan, meets environmental duties and responsibilities, and brings together partners to create collective action. He noted that the Environment Plan recognises the interconnectedness of the environment, economic growth, and public health.

Key points from the presentation included:

  • The division hosts the Kent Downs National Landscape Team, Countryside Management Partnerships, and the Kent Resource Partnership.
  • The budget for the division is £92.2 million, including income of nearly £27 million.
  • Over 95% of the budget is managed through the Resource Management and Circular Economy Team, delivering the statutory service as a waste disposal authority.

During questions, Councillor Mark Hood asked about the Net Zero Action Plan and sought assurance that strategies dealing with pollinators, tree planting and the marine environment would continue. Councillor David Wimble clarified that the council is stopping the use of the term 'net zero' but is still in favour of the green agenda.

Councillor Alister Brady asked if the Cabinet Member believes in climate change and understands the detrimental effects on KCC services. He also asked if scrapping net zero funding would result in a loss of green job opportunities. Councillor David Wimble affirmed his belief in climate change and its potential negative impacts, and Matt Smyth added that a key part of the Environment Plan is generating additional income to deliver the green agenda.

Councillor Ben Fryer asked how the council works with local district and borough councils to ensure that green spaces are not negatively impacted by changes to planning laws related to house building.

Councillor Paul Thomas commented on the range of curbside collections carried out by district and borough councils and asked if there was any way to incentivise the good authorities to keep it up so that the others fall in line to drive costs down.

Petition Scheme Debate - Gravesend-Tilbury Ferry Service

The committee debated a petition requesting that the Gravesend-Tilbury Ferry be reinstated. Rebecca Drake Hopkins, the petition organiser, addressed the committee, highlighting the ferry's importance as an accessible and convenient way for people to travel across the River Thames. She said that the ferry cancellation has deeply affected local communities and businesses, and that it has increased pressure on the Dartford Crossing1. She also noted the historical and cultural significance of the ferry.

Councillor Ryan Waters supported the petition, emphasising the unique experience of the ferry crossing. Councillor Dean Burns raised concerns about the financial viability of the service and suggested exploring options such as reducing the service frequency.

Councillor Peter Chamberlain asked about the reasons for the ferry's collapse in 2000 and the potential for increased passenger numbers to make it economically viable.

After further discussion, the committee resolved to recommend that the Cabinet Member look to find a way to reinstate the ferry. Councillor Peter Osborne said that KCC recognises that the cessation of the ferry service has affected local communities, and that KCC remains committed to finding a financially sustainable solution.

Performance Dashboard

The committee noted the performance dashboard, including information up to the end of March 2025. The report showed that 13 of the 17 key performance indicators (KPIs) were rated green, indicating performance at or above the target level. Three KPIs did not achieve target but met their floor standards, and one KPI did not meet its floor standard.

Matt Smyth explained that the red KPI was WM04, the percentage of waste from KCC's Household Waste Recycling Centres that is recycled, composted, or wood converted to energy at the biomass facility. He said that this was due to a reduction in the quantity of organic waste collected compared to the previous year.

He also outlined several changes proposed for the current financial year, including increasing the target and floor standard for DT01 (the percentage of public enquiries being completed online) and removing HT14 (priority inquiries completed within 20 working days) due to responsibility for this KPI now resting with the Deputy Chief Executive's Department.

During questions, Councillor Alister Brady asked about the impact of reversing net zero policies on the KPI for greenhouse gas emissions from KCC's overall estate operations (EW2). Councillor Mark Hood asked about WM06 and WM07, the tonnage of waste collected at Household Waste Recycling Centres and the amount of waste being converted into energy, and what steps are being taken to ensure that food isn't getting into that stream.

Councillor Tim Prater raised concerns about the accuracy of the reported pothole repair figures (HD1) and member inquiry completion rates (HD14). Andrew Loosemore, Head of Highways, offered to bring a more detailed report on how the data is collected and used.

Ebbsfleet Development Company (EDC) Highway Landscaping Enhancement

The committee endorsed the proposed decision to accept funding from the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) to deliver highway landscape enhancements at verges and roundabouts in Ebbsfleet Garden City. The EDC will fully fund the program, providing KCC with up to £2.515 million between 2025/26 and 2026/27.

Local Highways Maintenance Support Contracts

The committee endorsed the proposed decision relating to local highways maintenance support contracts. These contracts are designed to provide additional support and resilience at a local level for pothole repairs, patching, and resurfacing carried out by local suppliers. The contracts are zero value, with the council only paying after the work is delivered. The annual spend on these contracts is expected to range between £6 million and £14 million, depending on the available budget and Department for Transport grant funding.

Councillor Alister Brady asked about previous performance of contractors, subcontracting, social values, and the selection process. Andrew Loosemore explained the comprehensive process for assessing contractors and monitoring their performance.

Receipt and Processing of Organic Waste Contract Countywide

The committee endorsed the proposed decision relating to the receipt and processing of organic waste contracts countywide. The new contract, due to commence in April 2026, will consolidate existing arrangements into a county-wide solution.

Councillor Mark Hood asked how the council can compel collection authorities to properly control the amount of contaminant in the waste stream.

Continuation of Household Waste & Recycling Centres and Waste Transfer Station Operation, Management and Haulage Contracts

The committee endorsed the proposed decision to continue the current Household Waste & Recycling Centres and Waste Transfer Station Operation, Management and Haulage Contracts in East, Mid and West Kent, by extending the existing arrangements from 18 months to a total of five years, as permitted under the contract terms. The revised contract period will now expire on 31st October 2030.

Councillor Tim Prater sought assurance that all Household Waste Recycling Centres and Waste Transfer Stations will remain open for the entirety of the contract.

Work Programme

The committee noted the work program.


  1. The Dartford Crossing is a major road crossing of the River Thames in England, carrying the A282 road between Dartford, Kent, and Thurrock, Essex. 

Attendees

Vacancy
Profile image for Alister Brady
Alister Brady  Labour and Co-operative Party
Profile image for Martin Brice
Martin Brice  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for Paul Chamberlain
Paul Chamberlain  Reform UK
Profile image for Wayne Chapman
Wayne Chapman  Reform UK
Profile image for James Defriend
James Defriend  Reform UK
Profile image for Ben Fryer
Ben Fryer  Reform UK
Profile image for Jamie Henderson
Jamie Henderson  Reform UK
Profile image for Mark Hood
Mark Hood  Green Party
Profile image for Sarah Hudson
Sarah Hudson  Conservative
Profile image for Isabella Kemp
Isabella Kemp  Reform UK
Profile image for Richard Palmer
Richard Palmer  Reform UK
Profile image for Martin Paul
Martin Paul  Reform UK
Profile image for Bridget Porter
Bridget Porter  Reform UK
Profile image for Tim Prater
Tim Prater  Liberal Democrat
Profile image for Paul Thomas
Paul Thomas  Reform UK
Profile image for Ryan Waters
Ryan Waters  Reform UK
Profile image for Dean Burns
Dean Burns  Reform UK

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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